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High-Frequency Trading Competition

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  • Brogaard, Jonathan
  • Garriott, Corey

Abstract

Theory on high-frequency traders (HFTs) predicts that market liquidity for a security decreases in the number of HFTs trading the security. We test this prediction by studying a new Canadian stock exchange, Alpha, that experienced the entry of 11 HFTs over 4 years. We find that bid–ask spreads on Alpha converge to those at the Toronto Stock Exchange as more HFTs trade on Alpha. Effective and realized spreads for non-HFTs improve as HFTs enter the market. To explain the contrast with theory, which models the HFT as a price competitor, we provide evidence more consistent with HFTs fitting a quantity-competitor framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Brogaard, Jonathan & Garriott, Corey, 2019. "High-Frequency Trading Competition," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 54(4), pages 1469-1497, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jfinqa:v:54:y:2019:i:04:p:1469-1497_00
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • L1 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance

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